Board of Park Commissioners meeting

Meeting began at 7:58 a.m.

Agenda

Roll call: All board members present.

Minutes from Oct. 15 meeting: Approved.

Financial Report from Metroparks CFO Wade Steen

• Overall:
  • Property tax revenue is down nearly $700,000k year-to-date (YTD) compared to the same time last year, also down from last year and this year’s predictions.
• Zoo:
  • Zoo revenue down 9.9% YTD (attributing to inflation & the Rainforest still being closed), expenses up about 3.3% YTD.
• Golf:
  • Revenue is up slightly, with rounds played being just about even compared to last year, despite construction at Seneca Golf Course.
  • Mastick Woods is the most popular course, where rounds played rose 11% and net revenue was up 41% YTD compared to the same time last year.
• Metroparks Enterprise:
  • Revenue is down YTD. A big reason is the East 55th Marina Restaurant being closed all year due to construction of a new sailing center. The restaurant earned $591,000 in gross revenue last year.
  • Focus is on controlling expenses, keeping them flat compared to last year. 
  • Staffing levels are lower, positions have been reduced overall, and some of those positions will not be filled next year. This is the main mechanism by which the organization is controlling expenses.
  • Otherwise, enterprise operation is “doing well, given the situation that we’re in.”
• Nature Shops:
  • Revenue slightly down YTD, but attributing that to higher-than-normal sales during last year’s eclipse event.
  • Online merchandise sales are rising this year.
• Overall, next year’s budgets will be affected by property tax revenue (delinquencies and possible legislative property tax changes). Likely looking at reduced staffing across the board next year. Steen said all Metroparks managers and chiefs are trying to keep operations lean.

Correction: This article was updated to reflect that Steen said managers of all departments are trying to keep operations lean and that potential 2026 staff reductions are not exclusive to Metropark’s nature shops.

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New Business/Action Items

[Editor’s note: Follow along with all action items beginning at this point in the agenda.]

• Swearing in Sgt. Megan Wenzel: Sworn in and motion approved. She has been a member of the Metroparks police force for 10 years, also participating in the crisis intervention program.
• 2025 Budget Adjustment: Increase of $2,376,299, largely capital construction contracts and capital for the Community Sailing Center, according to Steen. Approved.
• Request for 2026 Tax Advances: Typical process for advances followed annually, set by the county, Steen said. Approved.
• Authorization to Establish and Manage an Asset Management Account(s) for the Receipt of Donations: Necessary to open an account to receive a portfolio from a donor’s estate, according to Chief Legal & Ethics Officer Rosalina Fini. The account will then be liquidated and funds received, Steen added. Approved.
• Lakefront Reservation: Third Amendment to Lease with the City of Cleveland – Riverfront Access at Rivergate Park. This project has been worked on for “nearly a decade,” said Metroparks CEO Brian Zimmerman. It is part of ongoing land swaps with the city. This will enable a trail to link to the Flats East Bank, allowing RTA access and riverfront access and towpath connection as well. It is currently the site of Irishtown Bend construction. Approved.
• Award of RFP #6888-b – Construction Manager at Risk for Cleveland Metroparks Bridge Program (2025-2030), Parkwide: Schirmer Construction will be the contractor of choice for 2025-2030. Approved.
• Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Maintenance and Use Agreement for Maintenance of Green Space: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is investing nearly $160 million in their expansion, and part of that project is a community park. Zimmerman said. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame approached the Metroparks about maintenance of this park and an opportunity for connection to the new Sailing Center and a new trail system on the near East Side. This will be funded by the Rock Hall at no cost to the Metroparks. This agreement allows them to negotiate costs and maintenance.
• Change Order No. 2 – Contract #1837 – Mandel Community Trail – Trail Lighting Installation – Lakefront Reservation: Project set for completion in mid to late 2026, Zimmerman said. Looking to make lighting consistent from East 9th Street to MLK Jr. Blvd. A grant was provided by the Mandel Foundation for this project. The change to the contract allows for an increase of about $1.1 million. Approved.
• Brookside Reservation: Authorization to Submit Grant Application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund and to Commit Funds for Ballfield Renovations in Brookside Reservation: When the 2019 MLB All-Star Game was in Cleveland, the MLB and Cleveland Guardians Charities (CGC) worked to renovate Jim Thome Field at Brookside, Zimmerman said. The Metroparks is collaborating with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for a project, and CGC is working on a flower field and other beautification projects. Approved.
• Increase for Cuyahoga County Prisoner Holding Costs November 20, 2025: $115,000 total spend for 2025, up $40,000 from previously allocated. Zimmerman confirmed this does not reflect an increasing daily rate, rather an adjustment of the agreement to account for increased arrests.
• The board approved the award of bids for a variety of material needs: New timekeeping software, police uniforms, maintenance and repair of equipment, food contracts, fish stocking, furniture for Community Sailing Center, body cameras.

Public Comments

• Marty Lesher of Olmsted Township: Shared concerns about century-old trees that she said have been felled for golf courses, zoo property, artificial turf (which she said gives off PFAS), and playgrounds. Lesher is also concerned about events at the zoo affecting quality of life for animals. Lesher encouraged the board to follow the founding mandate of the Metroparks and focus on nature experiences and conservation.
  • Fini responded, saying many of Lesher’s comments are misleading, offensive and incorrect. “Her comments need to be corrected; they are so inaccurate and so offensive to the work that so many of our animal keepers and … our conservation team does that we just have to clarify the record on that piece.”

• Carol: Said she has been a Cleveland citizen since 1954. She has previously mailed a letter and left a physical copy with the board today. She asked questions, looking for more clarity on the bid process and how decisions are made. She encouraged the board members to spend time hiking in the parks and to spend time in natural settings with people who frequently use the parks. “You don’t want to lose the Metroparks.” 
• Unnamed man: Said that this is his third comment on “safety and operational issues.” He said he has been calling and leaving messages for various park officials regarding the Rocky River boat ramps. He noted safety issues at the ramps, including delay in installing ramps until mid-June, Metroparks trucks and equipment occupying ramp spots, and an absence of a designated prep area for boaters. He advocated for proper signage for recovery and prep areas, as well as for a heavier Metroparks Police presence. He also said charter boat captains frequently block ramps to load/unload. He provided a packet of photos.
  • Fini said that since his first comments, more signage has been added and areas in the parking lot have been re-stenciled. They have applied for and received a grant to engage in some capital changes at the ramps.
  • There was continued back-and-forth between various board members and this man. He was not satisfied with the changes made.
• Garry Thompson: Fishing partner of the man who spoke ahead of him. He is an Olmsted Falls council member. Expressed the importance of public comment and involvement. Repeated concerns about a car show at the Rocky River Reservation in October and the lack of parking when boat permits include a cost for parking. Expressed desire to work with the Metroparks as a member of Olmsted Falls City Council.

2026 Budget Preview — presented by Steen

• The budget process is still underway, and there will be further meetings. December’s public meeting will have a deeper dive on the budget.
• Aiming to approve the budget on Dec. 18 and have the book online and submitted to the Government Finance Officers Association by March 4, 2026. This follows a 90-day rule to be eligible for an award that Metroparks has won 15 consecutive years.
• Hardcopy budget books will not be available in 2026; the information will be online only. The online version is searchable.
• Concerns shared over potential loss of property tax revenue, which is the primary source of revenue.
• Golf and zoo revenues are anticipated to rise next year
• Sample of anticipated budgets:
  • $155.6 million operating budget (more than last year, largely due to inflation and health insurance costs)
  • $18.8 million for capital projects
  • $4.6 million for capital equipment
  • $600,000 for land acquisitions (less than last year)

Suggested Reading

Two churches and Kamm’s Corner centerpiece in line for landmark status

by Cleveland Documenters December 23, 2025

Summary of Zoo Conservation Funds 2025 – presented by Christopher Kuhar, zoo executive director

• Curator of Conservation Program is retiring at the end of November.
• Funded by Cleveland Zoological Society and Cleveland Metroparks Restricted Accounts (fundraising drives, naming contests, 5k races, etc.)
• Provided overview of Andean bear, gorilla, giraffe, lion, cheetah, North American songbirds, and Asian Turtle international and local programs working with students, governments, and other conservation programs worldwide.
• While the zoo doesn’t meet the generally accepted benchmark of allocating 3% of overall budget to conservation, officials are very proud of the measurable outcomes of the programs that they do invest in.

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo 2025 Reaccreditation – Kuhar

• American Zoological Association is the organization with the highest global zoo standards. Cleveland Zoo has been continually accredited since 1982. This enables access to nationwide breeding programs.
• 5-year accreditation cycle
• The zoo was reaccredited in September. This was their first accreditation with no major concerns on the report in Kuhar’s tenure, which is a notable achievement. Some minor repairs are outstanding, such as one bathroom. Other minor repairs were made during the survey period.
• Seals and sea lions will be placed in other zoos in 2026, and their space will be repurposed.
• Black and brown bears will get updated exhibits in the 2026 capital improvement cycle.
• The accreditation report includes acknowledgement for conservation efforts, enrichment efforts and staff training programs as well as workplace culture.

East Side Lakefront Planning Updates — presented by Sean McDermott, chief planning and design officer

• Mandel Community Trail: $11 million construction cost. Connects East 9th Street along the lakefront and will tie into East 55th Marina and to an existing bikeway to MLK Jr. Boulevard. Wayfinding and lighting updates are coming in 2026 that will create consistent lighting both in style and infrastructure (running singular conduit, etc.)
• The Community Sailing Center is close to being weathertight for the winter. Construction is going smoothly, windows are currently being installed.
• Kelly Coffman, principal planner, spoke about South Gordon Park (situated just south of I-90 near the Sailing Center): A planning process has produced a conceptual plan around the open green space and trees. New picnic shelter, restrooms and playground are planned, as well as infrastructure improvements to support future development.
• Creating shoreline and protected cove on 100 acres (CHEERS – Cleveland Harbor Eastern Embayment Resilience Strategy). It adds space where people can “touch the water,” Coffman said, rather than 5-plus-foot dropoffs at the breakwall. This also solves an issue for the Port of Cleveland and Army Corps of Engineers, which will drop dredge materials here when they dredge the Cleveland Harbor and Cuyahoga River. Planning for dredging is part of the design and construction of this park. Working to prioritize local construction workers. This park would aim to open in 2032 due to dredging timing.
• McDermott spoke about Euclid Beach and Euclid Creek Reservation: Planning a .45 mile connector trail between the two, funded by the county. County Public Works has raised nearly $15 million to construct trails, which Metroparks will maintain. Construction to run through 2026 and 2027.

The board entered executive session for the purpose of discussing acquisition of real property.

Meeting adjourned at 10:44 a.m.

These notes are by Documenter Julia Brookover.

If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalcleveland.org  with “Correction Request” in the subject line.